[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/251130/5888b158b257acb3bcd64a3f3b46ef69.png[/img][/center]

Zach laughed when Thor said he had the makings of a great hero. He rubbed the back of his neck with the hand that wasn’t holding a wand. [color=darkviolet]“I don’t know about that… I feel like you might be grading on a curve tonight.”[/color]

Thor continued explaining the plan, and Zach listened, nodding along like someone who absolutely understood what was happening even though internally his brain was still stuck on the fact that he saved Christmas. When Thor mentioned Ace O’Clubs, Zach gave a thumbs up. [color=darkviolet]“Hot chocolate I can do,”[/color] he said. [color=darkviolet]“Hero team logistics? Still working up to that.”[/color]

Then Thor hauled Toyman out of the sleigh like it was nothing and called his hammer back to his hand. Zach watched the hammer fly through the air and land perfectly in Thor’s grip. [color=darkviolet]“…I’m never getting over how cool that is,”[/color] he muttered. Zach watched as Thor took off in Santa’s sleigh through a portal. [color=darkviolet]“Ok… I feel like my life has just got a lot crazier.”[/color]

His phone buzzed in his pocket. Zach frowned. [color=darkviolet]“What now? I hope it’s not my parents freaking out about where I am…”[/color] He pulled the phone out.

[quote=Unknown Number][color=3F00FF] Your casting is sloppy.[/color][/quote]

Zach blinked. [color=darkviolet]“…Excuse me?”[/color]

[quote=Unknown Number][color=3F00FF]But improvising illusion magic under pressure like that was impressive…[/color][/quote]

Zach stared at the screen, then quickly typed back.

[quote=Zach Z.] [color=darkviolet]Okay who is this and how were you watching that?[/color][/quote]

[quote=Unknown Number][color=3F00FF]Because magic leaves fingerprints, and yours are very loud.[/color][/quote]

Zach felt a little chill that had nothing to do with the snow.

Another message appeared.

[quote=unknown number][color=3F00FF]We should talk before you accidentally summon something dangerous.[/color][/quote]

There was a pause. Then the final message came through.

[quote=unknown number][color=3F00FF]Zatanna Zatara[/color][/quote]

Zach froze. [color=darkviolet]“…Oh.”[/color] He knew that name. What self respecting magician wouldn’t? Giovanni Zatara’s daughter, celebrity magician in her own right, actual sorceress. Now here she was casually texting about his magic use. He slowly lowered the phone and looked up at the sky where Thor had disappeared. [color=darkviolet]“…Cool cool cool.”[/color] He paused to process all this. [color=darkviolet]“…Tonight I helped save Christmas.”[/color] He held up the phone. [color=darkviolet]“…And now apparently I’m being evaluated by my famous cousin.”[/color] He sighed. [color=darkviolet]“…I should probably go get that hot chocolate.”[/color]